"Soundouk el Ferje" (The Magic Box) is a project developed by KHAYAL (Lebanon) in partnership with Subito Presto (France), aimed at encouraging young Lebanese artists to get creatively engaged in Children’s Theater in Lebanon. It will take place between January and December 2012 and is co-funded by the European Union.

"Soundouk el Ferje" (Magic Box) is a project developed by KHAYAL Association (Lebanon) in partnership with Subito Presto (France), aimed at encouraging young Lebanese artists to get creatively engaged in Children’s Theater; 3 groups of artists will receive the necessary support to produce small-scale plays for children of different age groups, and one other group will be offered internships in a professional joint Lebanese-French production. A public forum will then be held where all 4 plays will be staged and the artists will have the chance to establish direct contact with their audience (children and their parents) and the different stakeholders involved (schools, libraries, media, representatives of international festivals, etc.) in order for them to explain their approach and receive audience feedback. The plays will also tour in different regions allowing the artists to experience all logistic and technical issues related to touring and performing in non-equipped spaces.

Background

KHAYAL believes that the creative engagement of young artists is essential for developing the Children’s Theater in Lebanon and improving its quality in terms of form and content. This engagement can be fostered by providing these artists with valuable learning opportunities as well as technical, administrative and financial support.

On the other hand, a number of interesting opportunities have arisen from the growing demand for children’s activities, coupled with the will of some local actors such as public libraries and municipalities to support the staging of children’s plays in different regions.

For this reason, KHAYAL decided to create “Soundouk el Ferje”, a project that provides production support on one hand, and a link to the local and international market on the other hand.

This project builds on 20 years of different activities by the Lebanese Puppet Theater to develop Children’s Theater in Lebanon (18 theater productions, 5 international festivals, several trainings), and more specifically it comes within the framework of the “Support for Young Artists” Program initiated by KHAYAL in 2009 with the production of “The Red Balloon” by young director Fouad Yammine.

Target Groups

22 theater artists in the beginning of their career:

-15 artists will form the 3 groups which will receive support to create plays for children.

-7artists will participate as interns in the joint Lebanese-French theater co-production.

Around7,400 children (ages 1-18 years):

-500 childrenare expected to attend the 4 plays during the forum.

-Around6,900 childrenare expected to attend the 4 plays touring in theatres, schools, town halls or public libraries all over Lebanon.

Objectives

Overall objectives

To contribute to the flourishing of Children’s Theater in Lebanon in terms of innovation and diversity, and to its recognition as a complete form of Art.

To contribute to creating more job opportunities for young artists and technicians in the field of Children’s Theater.

Specific objective

To increase the creative engagement of young Lebanese artists in Children’s Theater.

Activities

SPRING 2012:

·Conduct a baseline survey about Theater graduates in the last 5 years

·Launch a call for participation and select the interns and 3 groups of artists

SUMMER 2012:

·Support the production of 3 plays for children by 3 groups of young Lebanese artists in collaboration with European and Lebanese artists-facilitators

·Produce a joint Lebanese-French stage play for children with the participation of 7 Lebanese interns/trainees

AUTUMN 2012:

·Organize a 3-day forum around Children’s Theater, staging all 4 plays and including debates and panels

·Stage the Lebanese-French theater co-production and the 3 young artists’ plays in Beirut and all over Lebanon

Followers

About Me

KHAYAL Association for Arts & Education is a cooperative association founded in 2004 as the extension of the Lebanese Puppet Theater with the objective reaffirming the role of the Arts - particularly the Performing Arts - as a means of communication between individuals and societies.
Artistic and stage productions are KHAYAL's main area of activity, together with the organization of cultural festivals. The association is also dynamically involved in social action (awareness and development) and education, as well as in promoting cultural exchanges.